Rocco C. Risbara Jr., 70, of Scarborough, Maine, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014, at home with his loving family by his side, a result of pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Portland, Maine, in 1943 to Rocco C. Sr., and Mary (nee Bellino) Risbara.

Rocco was a Cheverus High School Class of 1961 graduate. He started his business, R. Risbara Construction Co. Inc., in April 1968 with Marcia and his father’s help. They built it into a successful business now called, Risbara Bros. Construction Inc., based in Scarborough. In addition, he and Marcia started and ran Maine Properties Inc. and Agency 1 Real-Estate. The companies grew along with the growth of the town of Scarborough, and he was responsible for building many homes and neighborhoods in Scarborough, as well as other areas throughout greater Portland.

He built his businesses and his family, with the support of his wife and with a strong faith. Rocco was a founding member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Scarborough and was instrumental in the planning and building of the church and parish community. He and Marcia donated the Risbara family chapel at St. Maximilian Kolbe. Rocco was also most proud of his participation in the Brentwood Farms Community Garden, which was on the site of his grandfather’s former farm, in the city of Portland.

He was a communicant of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, and a life-long member of the Italian Heritage Center. While building his family, faith community, and family businesses, Rocco was a generous but independent spirit who enjoyed his family in Scarborough and also at their family camp on Eustis Ridge. Many friends learned how to ride snowmobiles and ATVs at that camp, and all enjoyed terrific meals at the round table. Like everything he had, it was shared with others.

Rocco and Marcia spent winters in Punta Gorda, Fla., in his partial retirement, and enjoyed friends, boating and their beloved Corvettes of Charlotte County Club, but the lure of his family and the family business always brought him home to Scarborough in the spring, ready to take on a project. He enjoyed old cars and was very proud of the numerous vehicles he and Marcia restored together. His shop was always open and available to help others and he spent many hours working on vehicles belonging to friends and family who needed help. Helping people, fixing things, teaching his ways of doing things and telling stories were daily occurrences for him. He was a friend and mentor to many.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marcia (Rico) Risbara; together, he and Marcia built a large and loving family and are the proud parents of Rocco “Roccy” (Mary Jane) III, William “Billy” (Lisa) and Marc (Lisa); daughter Leanne (Bob) Dehler; together they had 13 wonderful grandchildren of whom they are enormously proud, Maria, Ashley, Rocco IV, Garrett, John, Micaela, Marco, Marisa, Serina, Maggie, Lydia, Nick and Joseph; sisters and their spouses, Carmel (Lou) Croce, and Sandra (David) St. Clair; sisters-in-law and spouses, Candy Risbara, Marilee (Jim) Pandiscio, all of the greater Portland area, and Rosemary (Billy Hodge) Rico of Gibsonton, Fla.; mother-in-law, Theodora Rico; many nieces and nephews; and a large contingent of former employees, friends, and associates too numerous to mention, all saddened by his passing, yet joyful to have been a part of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Concetta (Joe) Pallotta; brother, Peter Risbara; father-in-law, John Rico; brother-in-law, Jack Rico; nephew, Stephen Pallotta; as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

The family would like to thank the staff at Maine Center for Cancer Medicines, as well as VNA Home Health Hospice, and their Life Stages division, for the professional, compassionate care that he received.

Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME 04103. Prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the funeral home to be followed by a Con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. For further information and to leave a tribute in memory of Rocco please visit www.jonesrichhutchins.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Maine Cancer Foundation Tri for a cure. Several of his granddaughters and a daughter-in-law have formed a team, Papas Girls, to participate.